Measles

More than 25 million children born in the last five years have never had any vaccination against measles, figures show.

They are the target in planned nationwide campaign to immunise at least 39 million children aged nine months to 59 months this November and early next year, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Why stop with eradicating polio when the eradication of measles is within our grasp? During more than 25 years of operations, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has mobilized and trained millions of volunteers, social mobilizers, and health workers; accessed households untouched by other health initiatives; mapped and brought health interventions to chronically neglected communities; and established a standardized, real-time global surveillance and response capacity.

All health institutions, primary and secondary schools will from today until Friday be administering the new measles­rubella vaccine to children between nine and 15 years. Children aged between six and 59 months will also be given Vitamin A supplementation during the same period. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, this year’s national immunisation days were triggered by the quest to eliminate measles and protect children against rubella virus infection.

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - New research from Public Health Ontario (PHO) shows that rates of parents choosing not to immunize their kids for measles based on religious or conscientious objections is increasing. However, the total number of children not getting vaccinated due to exemptions remains low across the province.